And the Cow Burned: Animals and Philosophy in the Cinema of Andrei Tarkovsky

In the films of legendary Soviet director Andrei Tarkovsky, images of visually striking and mysterious animals serve as powerful symbols, marvels, and metaphors, from nomadic dogs to rolling horses and soaring birds. Yet Tarkovsky's hauntingly beautiful depictions of animals exist in suspended tension with his often grisly portrayals of animal cruelty—exemplified by the cow he set on fire while making his second feature film Andrei Rublev. These disturbing moments challenge viewers' percept...